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Barbara M's blog

Timed to coincide with the Lascaux exhibit at Houston's Museum of Natural Science, we've created a bookdisplay called Street Art. Featured are books from prehistoric times--the Lascaux cave paintings, Texas petroglyphs, Egyptian, Aegean, and African tomb, wall, and cave art--right up to modern street murals, graffiti, and even--yes--yarn bombing.

But even more fun is the wall itself. We've covered the wall surrounding the display in paper and for the last week our customers have been contributing their own 'street' art. Come and add your own!

Our exhibiting artist this month is Rosemary Massey. Rosemary is a retired art teacher and native of Houston, who paints both landscapes and still lifes in watercolor and acrylic. Come and see her paintings in Room L 129 or online at http://rosemarymassey.vpweb.com/

The CD audio book I’ve listened to on my way to and from work this past week has not only made several commutes more pleasant, the world created by its writer and narrator has stayed with me all day. I’ve craved the moment when I could climb back into my car and re-connect with that world and those characters and that story. That’s my measure of a good story—one whose world lingers at the edge of my consciousness and and calls me back. What’s your measure of a good book?

Throughout February you have the pleasure of viewing the pastel paintings of landscape artist Grace Hessman in our meeting room, Room L-129. She’s a 'plein air' painter, which means she doesn’t paint from reference photos in her cozy air-conditioned home studio. It means she plunks her easel down in the shifting soils of west Texas or beach Florida or the Oregon forest, with boots on to protect herself from cactus spines and driving heat and morning chills, to see, feel, and smell each nuance of the landscape she’s passionate about capturing on paper. When you see her work, I think you’ll catch that spirit. That’s Room L-129; throughout February.

Adult artists, on Thursday this week, drop your chores, bring your art supplies and your lunch and enjoy a relaxing day with other artists. We’ll spend the morning painting or sketching a still life in the sunny front room of the library, enjoy each other’s company over lunch, and in the afternoon, we’ll go up to the computer lab and practice working with reference photos using basic Microsoft Office tools. That's this Thursday, January 16, from 10 am to 3 pm--or whatever fraction of that you can come. All free; no registration needed.

Next time you’re in the library drop into our meeting room, Room L 129, and enjoy the paintings of Linnie Baird. Born in Alabama, Baird finally got to Texas in her early twenties and has been delighted to be here ever since. You’ll be amazed to learn she’s been painting for only seven years, having taken up a family painting tradition only after her artist father died. She paints in oils and pen and ink, with a distinctly Texas style. She's equally at home with painting architecture, landscape ( in both Texas and Colorado), and figures.

Come to the e-book class this Thursday when our librarian, Cathy Clark will introduce you to the differences between Apple e-readers, Kindles, and Nooks and show you how to use them to read Harris County Library books. That's Thursday, December 5th from 1-3 pm in Room 216, the computer lab. No registration is required and it's free.

Every Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-noon, a group of women set up a horseshoe of tables in our meeting room and stitch their hearts out, sharing lovely conversation while they work. For years now, we've seen happy people and beautiful quilts, blankets, scarves, and other lovingly made items emerge from that room every week. So come join them if this appeals!

Are you interested in antique, vintage or new postcards? You are welcome to come to the Postcard Club meeting this Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the second floor conference room. The club meets monthly on the third Saturday of the month, and adults and children are welcome.

When Canadian short-story author Alice Munro was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature a couple of weeks ago, news accounts said that she had brought that neglected art-form back into the forefront. If you're tempted to try a short story one of these newly dark evenings, we’ve made it easy for you to find a collection to your liking. Normally inter-shelved with the rest of adult and young adult fiction, they are currently displayed on our Round Wall so you can browse. Enjoy!

Information for Persons with Disabilities: Harris County Public Library will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who are interested in attending library programs. To make a request for yourself or someone you know, please notify the Branch Librarian two working days in advance of the program.